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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Josh, you have two things. One is a (presumably) covenant violation for failure to complete within two years. My reaction to that is OK, it is finished now, so no damages, no injunction, no cause of action, but the association should figure out how to deal with these in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The second thing you have is, yep, the association figured out a way to deal with these in the future - the new fine schedule. But it wants to include matters that are arguably not under the fine rule scope because it was started before the fine rule was passed. The Board has nowhere to go with this. A fine is only as good as the end result, which is, a lawsuit to collect the fine (often by lien foreclosure). And here, that is a nonstarter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>My advice to the Board would be to graciously declare victory, note that after the rule was passed this member complied, and apply it to future circumstances. Not a fight they want to pick. Better to address current ongoing problems with their time and money. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>I like to put into my resolutions an effective date to resolve some of this. And the effective date is almost always, applies to circumstances that arise after the date of recordation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>By the way, and forgive an old man's pontification, but I tell all my clients that they never want to collect any fines. First you try to work with the member, several times, and use someone with a high emotional IQ for the contacts. If that just doesn't work you can fine, but the purpose of the fine is to bring them to the table and use it as a card you can throw in- OK, if you fix this problem within a reasonable time, we will rescind the fine. Leverage. Very rarely will you have to go beyond that, and if that happens, you have other issues to deal with, such as "personality" challenges. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Rob<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Robert D. Wilson-Hoss <br>Hoss & Wilson-Hoss, LLP <br>236 West Birch Street <br>Shelton, WA 98584 <br>360 426-2999<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><a href="www.hossandwilsonhoss.com"><span style='color:blue'>www.hossandwilson-hoss.com</span></a><br><a href="mailto:rob@hctc.com"><span style='color:blue'>rob@hctc.com</span></a></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This message is intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the addressee, you are hereby notified that any use, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify us by reply e-mail or by telephone (call us collect at the number listed above) and immediately delete this message and any and all of its attachments. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;text-transform:uppercase'>This office does debt collection and this e-mail may be an attempt to collect a debt, Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. </span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>To the extent the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. § 1692) applies this firm is acting as a debt collector for the condominium/homeowners' association named above to collect a debt owed to it. Any information obtained will be used for collection purposes. You have the right to seek advice of legal counsel.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Josh Grant<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, August 28, 2018 11:55 AM<br><b>To:</b> wsbar<br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] HOA fine administration and grandfathering<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><a name="ole_link2"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>I represent an HOA which has levied a fine that is being questioned.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="ole_link1"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Violation is for failing to complete structure within 24 months of its commencement.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Building started 4/2015.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Fine policy was adopted 3/2016. Objecting homebuilder was on the board and voted for it.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>This seems similar to a building permit that a city grants and the fact that the building code that applies is its version as of the date the permit is granted.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Objector says “I started before the fine procedure was set up so I am grandfathered in and I can’t be fined.”</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>The facts would show that the project was completed well after 2 years even after the fine procedures were adopted, so Board wonders if, even though the building was commenced before that adoption date, that the 2 year requirement could be enforced after the 2 years from date of adoption.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>What say you?</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#004080'>Joshua F. Grant</span></strong><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#004080'><br></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><img border=0 width=207 height=43 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.png@01D43EC8.3A92AF60" alt=advocates><br></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#004080'>P. O. Box 619<br>Wilbur, WA 99185<br>509 647 5578</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>